Beat the Winter Blues with Light

The first snowfall of the year; a cup of hot cocoa after building a snowman; ice skating on a frozen pond – The Winter season, especially if you live in the north, is full of unique experiences waiting to be enjoyed. However, have you noticed that you feel worse in the Fall and Winter months? Do you feel blue after several cloudy days in a row? If so, you’re not alone. As the days get shorter, many people experience some of the following signs of insufficient light:

Lack of energy

Desire to sleep a lot

Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning

Impatience with yourself and others

Cravings for sweets and junk food

Difficulty being creative

Difficulty concentrating and focusing your attention

Decreased productivity

If you are able to check off several of the above mentioned signs, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder, more commonly known as SAD. It is more common for people who live in the north (or in the southern regions of the southern hemisphere) to have SAD, than those who live closer to the equator. With the days being much shorter during the winter months, you may get up and go to school or work in the dark and then come home again after the sun has already set. Some days you may not get any beneficial daylight at all – It has been found that exposure to sunlight through the eyes helps some people feel much better.
If you think that you may have SAD, discuss it with your physician. While many people have successfully treated themselves, a healthcare provider with expertise in addressing Seasonal Affective Disorder can be a big help and a great supporter as you address this difficult issue. If your regular doctor does not know very much about SAD, ask him or her to refer you to a doctor who does.
The following are some examples of light- or SAD-related Wellness Tools:

Advocates for Human Potential, Inc., cannot address personal mental health problems or issues. We care very much about your concerns but we must focus our efforts on education and resource development. For more information on how to get help for yourself or the people you are supporting, please use the resources on this website.